Local Briefs

Rabbi Aryeh Azriel of Temple Israel takes his turn at the podium during an Oct. 30 forum on Jewish-Catholic relations in Omaha. Held at the Cathedral Cultural Center, the program featured comments from a panel and small-group discussions. Nostra Aetate, a 40-yaer-old Catholic document focusing on the church's relationship with the Jewish community, was the focus of the discussion. Other speakers included (seated from left) Rabbi Mordechai Levin, Beth El Synagogue; Father Ryan Lewis, vice chancellor of the Archdiocese of Omaha; Dr. Wendy Wright, professor of theology at Creighton University; and Dr. Roger Bergman, director of the Justice and Peace Studies Program at Creighton. Additional programs looking at the shared heritage of Christian and Jews are planned for the spring and summer of 2006.

>>ORGANIZATIONS

Court Guardian Angels Celebrates 60th year

Members of Court Guardian Angels #1384 of the Catholic Daughters of America in West Point celebrated the organization's 60th year Oct. 23.

State Chaplain Father Anthony Espinosa, grand regents and members from other courts attended the Mass and reception at St. Mary Church in West Point.

Court Guardian Angels was established Oct. 7, 1945, with 67 members, 11 of whom are current members. The 11 charter members and 35 other members with more than 50 years of membership were honored at the celebration.

Today 140 members serve the parish and community through Court Guardian Angels.

Pope Paul VI Institute collecting food for needy

As part of their community outreach, Pope Paul VI Institute staff members are collecting canned and packaged foods from Nov. 1 to Nov. 18.

Donations will be accepted on the second floor reception area at the Pope Paul VI Institute, 6901 Mercy Road between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

All donations will go to St. Richard's Pantry.

Beginning band students in Olympics

Sixty-five beginning band students participated in the Band Olympics Oct. 18 at St. Margaret Mary in Omaha.

The students participated in small group races and came together to form a concert band. For most, this was their first performance in a concert band, said Debra Lund, Music in Catholic Schools.

The night ended with three teachers playing the Olympic Fanfare from Bugler's Dream.

Members of the Catholic Daughters of America Court Little Flower #988 took their white ribbon against pornography campaign (WRAP) to five parishes Oct. 29 and 30.

Members handed out the ribbons at St. Joseph in Platte Center; St. Stanislaus, Duncan; and at St. Anthony, St. Bonaventure and St. Isidore in Columbus.

Members of CDA attached white ribbons to cards explaining WRAP and added a prayer. 'It is our hope that the ribbons remind people that pornography is out there and to be careful," said Jo Sokol, vice-regent of Court Little Flower #988.

The WRAP campaign is part of Pornography Awareness Week held the week of Oct. 30 to Nov. 6.

>>PEOPLE

2nd grader raises money for Alzheimer's

Madison Cunningham, a second grader at St. Bernadette School in Omaha, raised $505 for the recent Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk.

Inspired by her grandmother, Caroline Macaitis who is suffering from the disease, Cunningham raised $321 at a $1 casual day at St. Bernadette School. The rest of the money was raised from a bake sale and donations from friends and family.

Cunningham walked in The Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk with a shirt on which read, 'I'm walking for Grandma Cary." The walk is held every September.

Cavanah joins CSM Public Relations

Sarah Cavanah has recently been hired by College of Saint Mary as director of public relations.

Cavanah is responsible raising the visibility of the college in local media, as well as contributing to the college's publications, web sites and events.

Formally the communications director at Dana College in Blair, Cavanah has also served as an editor at a national magazine, a book writer and editor, a metro newspaper reporter and a metro newspaper copyeditor.

She holds a bachelor's of journalism in professional writing and a bachelor's of arts in anthropology, both from the University of Oklahoma.

Student wins national championship in riding

Caroline Skinner, seventh grade student at St. Margaret Mary School was among age-division winners a recent national riding competition.

Skinner claimed the equation national grand championship in the 11-and-under age division at the United Professional Horseman Association Fall Classic at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky.

Skinner also won the UPHA 17-and-under Challenge Cup qualifying for the American Royal in November in Kansas City.

Skinner is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Skinner.

Hains are honored for marriage ministry

Jerry and Monica Hain of Norfolk were honored for 20 years of work in marriage ministry Oct. 14 at the Family Life Office's Marriage Ministry Appreciation Dinner.

The Hains, members of Sacred Heart Parish in Norfolk, were named recipients of the Don Wingert Memorial Service Award, which recognizes dedication or special contributions to marriage ministry.

The award was presented to the Hains by Father Michael Grewe, vicar general of the archdiocese, who also addressed the group.

The Hains have been involved in Catholic Engaged Encounter weekends for 20 years and coordinators for marriage prep pre-sessions for 13 years.

'The Hains are a very humble and loving couple who are dedicated to marriage ministry," said Stan Isham, archdiocesan marriage ministry coordinator.

The night also honored the volunteers of marriage ministry from throughout the archdiocese, 55 of whom were present. 'We could not do the good work we do with out the volunteers," said Isham. 'It was a great chance to bring together the volunteers and honor them for all they do."

Sister Barbary Markey, ND, director of the Family Life Office, was the keynote speaker for the evening. She updated the crowd on the status of marriage in the Catholic Church as well as in the United States.

>>PARISHES

Confirmation students from Dodge and Howells visit Trinity Heights in Sioux city, Iowa, as part of a one-day pilgrimage Oct. 16. The group also traveled to Winnebago. Photo by Joan Ruskamp

Confirmation class goes on pilgrimage

The confirmation classes from Dodge and Howells held ther annual pilgrimage Oct. 16. This is the 11th year the classes have come together for a pilgrimage.

This year, the group traveled to Winnebago and Sioux City. In Winnebago, Father Dave Korth celebrated Mass and Sarah Beridge spoke to the group about Native American customs, challenges faced by Winnebago Native Americans, her own experiences growing up in Winnebago and the joy she finds living as a Catholic.

The group then traveled to the north side of Sioux City to Trinity Heights. Trinity Heights is a 53-acre site in a woodsy setting with a variety of trails, memorials and statues. The group visited the Divine Mercy Adoration Chapel and participated in the rosary around the statue of Mary using Luminous Mysteries. Each student was given a rosary and prayer card with the prayers of the rosary on it.

This year there were 21 cadidates from Dodge and 23 candiates from Howells, who pariticipated in the event.

>>SCHOOLS

MarianFEST celebrates school's 50th anniversary

Marian High School held its 24th annual MarianFEST dinner and auction Oct. 15, but it also marked a milestone "“ the school's 50th year.

Sentimental journey was the theme for the evening, which raised $425,000 to support Marian's educational opportunities. The 640 guests arrived at the Marian train station, complete with replica train on the front lawn, to begin their journey.

The night included Mass celebrated in the Servants of Mary chapel and a social hour and silent and oral auctions featuring a variety of items.

Among the silent auction items were a Tommie Frazier autographed jersey, a $1,000 Creighton University scholarship and 42 original gift baskets.

Oral auction items included a week's stay in the Grand Caymans, a trip to Philadelphia with tickets to a 76er's game and dinner with Sixer's star Kyle Korver, one week private villa in Manzanilla and tickets to U2.

Entertainment for the evening included music by the Select Women's Choir and Marian's dance team.

Elizabeth Kish, head of school, toasted the night's honorary chairs, the Servants of Mary, for their commitment to Marian High School.